Anyone else miserably shopping for an HU?

[fnkngrv]

So the faceplate's lighting on my CD3200 blew a few days back and I am in need of picking up a new head unit. I am so torn because I have no clue what to pick up and with the investment it appears that must be done nowadays for a good quality HU and am concerned since I would hate to have another go the way of the Dodo after only a few years. I really liked the audio quality of my CD3200 and the audio setting granularity was spectacular. I was thinking of going DDIN however the bulk of what I am seeing for what I consider a decent price range just doesn't seem to fit the bill for the functionality that I would like. I would go with another single DIN as well. The basic features that I am looking for are:

1) BT connectivity for phone and audio streaming
2) min 3 sets of 4v or higher preamp outs (F, B, and Sub)
3) rear cabled USB input and headphone jack
4) snappy interface that is clean and easy to use
5) don't really care about navigation
6) not too big on audio files since I pretty much only use Pandora now
7) don't want to have to rely on a remote to execute functions
8) possibly support a rearview camera


I just can't justify spending 600 or more on an HU. Also the bulk of what is out there just seems to have really crappy interfaces. It is like they spend too much time trying to cram in so much functionality that their R&D for the interface suffers tremendously. Does anyone else feel my pain and what are you doing to overcome it?

[sqcomp]

$600 is the max huh?

Damn...cause you could probably find a used P99RS for a little more and you can more than meet all of your requirements in a single DIN.

[fnkngrv]

^ The biggest problem with that is I have not ever had any good luck with buying used HUs. I have bought a couple in the past and ended up wasting hundreds of dollars because they only lasted me one to two years at most. I know that not all vendors are created equal, but unless I could put a used one on SquareTrade or be able to have some sort of warranty I would be really leery to drop that much coin to have it shit the bed in a year or two possibly.

[hackenfort]

I have been thru 5-6 units in the last three months.

Think found the one yesterday, installed last night and very happy. Apline CDA-117. So far it's the best sounding unit, and the iPod connection is great to have 80gb at my fingertips.

[fnkngrv]

^ Thanks for the suggestion. I decided to order one of the Chinese units for now since the price is right. I will eventually pick up something in the audiophile range, but for now I felt that I could justify spending just a couple hundred on a possible disposable HU.

[naysman]

It's a great unit.

[fnkngrv]

I ended up buying my best friend's Eclipse CD4000 for 100 bucks. I just love Eclipse equipment. It is a terrible shame that they will not be sold in the USA anymore. I will be keeping the Milion DD DVD HU that I bought for a rainy day or will be selling it I guess. I just really prefer a SD HU plus I can't stand touchscreens.

[Lil Abner]

I just love Eclipse equipment. It is a terrible shame that they will not be sold in the USA anymore.

I agree! :thumbsup:

[NZ-FE Vios]

Not sure on quality but I'm dying to see something like this in my dash. http://www.carpcdvd.com/toyota-new-vios-gps-dvd-player-with-bluetooth-product-980.html?zenid=ubaureuesded7h84nk7gkr4ca1
They have that they say runs windows too.